Community Forum will Kick Off 2nd Annual Restorative Justice Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENovember 29, 2017

Anchorage – Alaska’s current crime rate and recent legislative session to address criminal justice reform have both underscored Alaska’s pressing need for creative solutions to achieve justice in our communities and reduce incarceration. Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) and Sen. Tom Begich (D-Anchorage) will host a community forum this Thursday to discuss restorative justice principles and how using restorative justice practices in our schools and corrections system can improve community safety, provide accountability when harm has occurred, and how restorative justice is part of criminal justice reform in Alaska.

One of the strategies employed by SB 91 was the inclusion of more funds for case managers to reduce prisoner recidivism. “Restorative Justice protects communities’ safety by engaging the community, supporting the victims of crime, and working to ensure the offenders become productive members of society,” said Sen. Begich. “Making the community whole, which restorative justice embraces, is critical to this effort.”

The principles of restorative justice are grounded in the traditional practices of indigenous cultures that underscore the value of respect, compassion, dignity, and inclusion for all members of the community.

“Now more than ever we need new approaches to justice, to keep kids out of the ‘school to prison pipeline’, where school discipline policies set young people, disproportionately minority students, up for going to prison,” said Rep. Tarr. “Thursday’s community forum summit features speakers involved in restorative justice practices in our schools and criminal justice system.”

Thursday’s event is free and open to the public. Snacks and beverages will be provided.